Deri Declares War on Ashkenazi Discrimination Against Sephardim

(Tuesday, November 13th, 2012)

Shas co-chairman Aryeh Deri has done what few politicians around the world can do, make a return to the center of the political arena after being convicted of a felony, serving a prison sentence and waiting for the hiatus period barring his return to expire. After 13 years of being out of the loop Deri is back in the media spotlight and according to many, he will soon be in control of Shas once again.

In his latest move, Deri announced he is waging a war against Ashkenazi yeshivos that discriminate against Sephardi girls, telling Kol Berama Radio the current situation is unacceptable and he plans to make this a priority until the practice is ended. Deri is quoted by Ynet as adding he will work to close down schools that continue discriminatory practices against Sephardim.

8 Comments

1. The felony was trying to support Torah education contrary to the wishes of the hiloni elite. The specific of the crime didn’t include taking public money for personal gain, not taking bribes. In America, the charges would have been dismissed before trial for failing to state a criminal offense (assuming the prosecutor found a way to get a grand jury to indict – Israeli prosecutors operate without that restraint).

2. Virtually all rabbanim, Ashkenazi and Sefardi, are in agreement that “ethnic” discrimination is prohibited. He didn’t say he would close down schools that base admission on level of frumkeit, or even language. The noisy lawsuits were brought by someone on the margins of the frum community who didn’t want to enroll his daughters in such schools.

Keep it up YWN! Never miss another opportunity to smear Deri. Not sure of the motive, but you have an impressive record so far. Just let us know which party you’re working for and we’ll know how we should vote. I imagine it will of course be an ashkenazi one

And while you accurately and unbiasedly report Deri’s political philosophy, explain to your readership what is meant by Ashkenazi Yeshivos discriminating against Sefardi girls. The Yeshivos I know discriminate against all girls, to be frank.

Common Sense: ” The Yeshivos I know discriminate against all girls, to be frank.”

I don’t think it was intended, though the word “frank” is used as a derogatory nickname for sephardim in Israel (equivalent to ni****). It is also a word used in many of the schools in Israel. It further proves Deri’s point.

Actually the word used is Frenk – or more like FRENK! – not frank. And I’m more than happy to prove Deri’s point, not that I’ve ever taken insult from that term.

But perhaps the Moderator will take note and start moderating the news articles themselves. Writing in a fashion very much to the distaste of your readership serves no purpose. Why don’t you save the cynicism for the Anti-jewish parties?

I have always wondered what is the belligerent rush to push their girls in Ashkenazi run schools. Are there no edot mizrach schools? Where is the pride in mesorah? And if there are not such school, Shas knows how to raise and spend money.